NADRA launched its Deck For a Soldier™ program in 2007 when an inquiry came across the NADRA website. Sergeant Thomas placed an inquiry to NADRA member, Sawdust, Ltd. Of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma through www.NADRA.org, in anticipation of scheduling a deck build when she returned home. Here, the idea of building a "Deck for a Soldier™" was born. This is a community effort that expresses our appreciation for the service and dedication of the men and women of our armed forces.

NADRA's Deck for a Soldier™ program has grabbed the attention of Deck Builders, Manufacturers, Suppliers, Dealers and Distributors around the country. It seems that benevolence is contagious. It's a small way our industry can give back to those that give us so much - our freedom!

BRICK TOWNSHIP VETERAN HONORED BY DECK ASSOCIATION

Retired Marine Receives Free Deck and Patio

Brick, NJ: Members of the New Jersey Chapter of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) cut the ribbon, this Veteran’s Day, November 11th, on their latest “Deck For A Soldier,” in Brick, New Jersey. The program provides free decks and outdoor structures to US Armed Service members and veterans. Among those dignitaries attending the ribbon cutting will be Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.

The program’s latest recipient, retired Marine Sean O’Connor, was provided with a deck and paver patio by the association, which has been building decks for service members since 2007. All materials and labor were donated by members of the association, who range from builders, to lumber yards, to manufacturers.

O’Connor, who served three tours in Operation Desert Storm during his 20 years of service, retired from the Marines in 2012. He found out about NADRA’s Deck For A Soldier program through the Wounded Warriors project. Service members interested in applying to the program can find an application above.

Deck for a Soldier Project

Brick New Jersey

November 11, 2013

NJ Team Leaders:

Dan Miles - President

Judy Verblaauw - Secretary

Bill Lecorchick - Treasurer

Gustavo dela Cruz - D4S Team Leader Brick Project

NADRA Members - “The Enlisted”:

Barrett Outdoors, Millstone

Deck Remodelers, Sparta; America’s DeckBuilder, Toms River

Miles Construction, Falsington, PA

C.Verblaauw & Son, Mahwah

My Deck, Farmingdale

Legends Home Improvement, Monroe

Artisan’s Builders Guild, Hackettstown

NADRA Members - Sponsoring Materials & Labor:

Trex

Wolf Home Products

Niece Lumber

CPG AZEK/TimberTech

Mid-State Lumber

Regal Ideas

Fiberon

Additional Sponsors of Materials -

Holden Humphrey

Myles Kelly

All State Disposal

Ocean County Landfill

Waldron Trucking; Simpson Strong Tie

Northeastern Building Supply

NADRA’s Atlanta, GA Chapter is currently wrapping up their 2012 D4S build! The chapter is working side-by-side with Operation Homefront.

A little bit about the Soldier and his family: (Winning entry essay)

My wife and I have been married for seven years now and we bought our first home almost three years ago. We spent almost four years stationed in northern Virginia and moved back to Georgia in late 2007. In early 2008 I was recalled and sent to personnel retrieval and processing company from which I was deployed in late 2008. In March 2009, I returned from my deployment and we were able to finally buy our first home. As you are able to see from the pictures of our deck we really don’t have much of a deck. Our home was built in the early 1990’s making our home over 20 years old. I honestly believe the current deck is just as old as our home and prior to us moving into our house almost three years ago it doesn’t look like it received the care it needed. While I was in Iraq I received some injuries which limit me from doing basic maintenance to our home. If something needs to be done and I am unable to find someone to help me; I have to find a contractor to do it. Sometimes this can be pretty costly. My wife and I were going to replace the deck last year and then we found out we were going to have our first child, needless to say our priorities changed a little. I think if we were selected to receive such a wonderful gift we would greatly appreciate it as well as benefit from it. The current deck is very small and barely fits a grill on it making it very hard to have anyone sit out on the deck and enjoy each other company outdoors. We also think some of the wood is rotten making the deck a little unstable. A new deck would provide a safe and fun place to entertain and enjoy our home. We plan on making this our home for a while so we will eventually replace the deck when we are able to afford it. We would really love to be considered for a new deck this would definitely be something we would never forget.

The Enlisted:

Decks & More

Atlanta Deck & Fence

Nyloboard

Peachtree Decks & Porches

DeckMasters of Greenville

Rainaway

Southeastern Underdeck Systems

Fiberon

Brad Hurst - Fiberon

Compton Sales

Trex

iLighting

WP Fail-Safe

Dixie Plywood

Metro Building Products

Atlas Disposal

Operation Homefront

Home Depot

Nick Hobbs

Deck for a Soldier Project

Atlanta, Georgia

2012

The Enlisted were made up of NADRA builders, NADRA vendors and many friends of NADRA.

Thanks to all!

Joining Together on a Tight Deadline

NADRA MN pulled off an unbelievable timeline for the project in order to make it possible for Todd and his family to celebrate his service to his country, and a new deck, on Memorial Day. “We announced Todd as the winner on May 11th and the permit was issued on May 20th,” Noonan said. “Since the ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled for May 28th, Memorial Day weekend, we had our work cut out for us!”

In just seven days, O’Noonan Construction, Decks by Joe, Jigsaw Builders and John Ford Construction built a beautiful 18’ x 15’ deck with angled corners and landing. Other features include TimberTech XLM decking with an inlay and border pattern, Radiance Rail with 30+ LV lights and a new patio door. “Building this deck in seven days was unreal, and if it wasn’t for the incredible craftsmanship and dedication of our builders, it never would have happened,” Noonan said.

Honoring a True Hero

In 2006, Everson’s convoy was traveling two miles southwest of Fallujah, Iraq, when it was hit by a roadside bomb. Everson rushed into danger and is credited with saving the life of his comrade. A true hero, Todd was awarded the Minnesota Medal of Valor, Bronze Star, and Combat Lifesaver award. One of the soldier’s lives he saved is now a Minnesota State House Representative.

“Despite my severe injuries and extensive blood loss, I survived because of the first aid performed by Everson and his team,” the soldier said. “Although we had no medics with us on this convoy, Todd performed flawlessly with no room for error in a hostile area and without regard for his own well-being. I am alive today and able to raise my family because of this fine soldier.”

Noonan said that this project is one of the best experiences of his career. “From the beginning, we were so thrilled to build a deck that Todd and his family could enjoy,” he said. “He’s such a humble and amazing guy who deserves appreciation for everything he’s done.”

About NADRA:

Deck builders and product manufacturers alike raised concerns at the 2004 DeckExpo over the compatibility of new generation wood treatments and fasteners. As a result, many realized the need for a unified industry voice. NADRA is that voice. The association is now in its seventh year as a 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation.

NADRA Mission Statement: The mission of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) is to provide a unified source for the professional development, promotion, growth, and sustenance of the Deck and Railing building industry in North America so that members can exceed the expectations of their customers.

NADRA Members: NADRA is made up of deck builders, manufacturers, dealers/distributors, wholesalers, lumber yards, retailers, and service providers to the deck and railing industry. By working together we can be one voice for the industry and deliver a clear message to the consumer and the code development bodies. NADRA serves as a trade association with emphasis on safe building practices, and deck safety.

Special Thanks to the NADRA MN Members for their tireless effort and support of our chapters very first D4S build!

The Enlisted:

Shelter Products

Decks Direct

Deck and Door Co.

Jigsaw Builders

Stork Testing

Simpson Strong Tie

Deck for a Soldier Project

Minnesota

2011

Minnesota National Guard Staff Sergeant Todd Everson of Prior Lake, Minnesota was thrilled to be the recipient of a new professionally designed and built deck in May 2011. The deck was gifted to him through the Minnesota chapter of the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) and its Deck for a Soldier (D4S) campaign. What he wasn’t expecting, was having NADRA volunteers making a return visit so soon after it was built!

After the May 28th ribbon cutting ceremony, Everson, a decorated Iraq veteran, was looking forward to enjoying a beautiful Minnesota summer with his family on their new deck. Unfortunately, only a month after the deck was built, lightning struck the Everson’s home, damaging the new deck, including the stairs, railings and lighting system. “We were so surprised and thrilled to get this wonderful deck at the beginning of the summer,” Everson said. “It was an incredible addition to our home and became a special place for our family, so we were completely shocked when it was damaged by lightning so soon after it was built.”

Todd contacted Pat Noonan of O’Noonan Construction, President of Minnesota’s NADRA chapter and chairman of the Deck for a Soldier committee, who organized the construction of the original deck. Noonan didn’t hesitate to repair the deck back to its original condition. Due to additional lightning damage to the house, the insurance company covered costs for the deck repair.

“Every one of the suppliers who generously donated all of the material only a month before, also offered to donate any materials needed to repair the damage,” Noonan said. “It was great to see this community rally again for a great cause.”

The “Enlisted”:

BHD Construction, LLC

Screw Products, Inc.

Fiberon

Trex

AZEK

TimberTech

Boise Cascade

Deck for a Soldier Project

Western WA

2011

The Enlisted:

Building Services

Lenzi Construction and Remodeling, LLC

Corbo Construction

Fiberon

Fasten Master

BB&S Treated Lumber of New England

Trex

Wolf

Harvey Building Products

TAMKO Building Products

Friend Lumber & Building Centers

ICS Plant Specialist -

Atlantis Rail Systems

Madhouse T-Shirt Designs, LLC

Latitudes Decking + Railing

Deckorators

Azek

Trex Outdoor Furniture

Pistone Trash -

Culinary Creations – Burlington, MA

Deck for a Soldier Project

New England

2011

Deck for a Soldier Project

New Jersey

2011

The Enlisted:

FastenMaster

Fiberon

Mid State Lumber Corp

My Deck LLC

Myles F. Kelly

NADRA HQ

Niece Lumber

Parksite

Phoenix Manufacturing Inc.

Railing Dynamics Inc.

Screw Products

Starborn

Techno Metal Post

Trex

Universal Consumer Products, Inc

Windward Sales

Wolf Distributing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 18, 2011

NJ NADRA CHAPTER WORKING ON DECK FOR A SOLDIER™

Monroe Township, NJ – The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) created the Deck for a Soldier™ program in 2007 as a way to give back to the men and women of our armed forces. The members of NADRA wanted to express their appreciation for the service and dedication of those whom serve our country.

The NADRA NJ Chapter formed in 2008 and is in the process of building their fourth annual Deck for a SoldierTM. Construction is currently underway in Monroe Township to provide a ramp and deck for Lance Corporal Colin Pascik. In late August 2010, Pascik, a two-year veteran of the United States Marine Corp, was wounded by an improvised explosive device while serving his country proudly in Afghanistan. His injuries resulted in the amputation of both legs, one below the knee and one above the knee. Pascik continues his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and will soon be transferred to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. NADRA is working on the ramp and deck while the VFW Post 262 renovates the family home to accommodate Pascik when he returns home in the near future.

NADRA New Jersey Builder Member and the general contractor for this Deck for a SoldierTM project, Martin Coffey of Pro Deck Remodeler jumped at the chance to take on this build, “There is no question whether I will help out a fellow Marine!.” Close to forty volunteers from the New Jersey Chapter are donating labor, materials, tools, trucks, and even food and water. Even the local stores have come by offering to help out, such as Papa A Pizza whom has lent their parking lots and made sure the volunteers were fed! Even neighbors driving by stop in bringing water and offering to buy lunch!

“It is a humbling experience. It is only with the help of everyone involved can we make these projects happen”, states Lainie Sleppin, at Mid-State Lumber Corporation and VP of the NJ NADRA Chapter.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Monroe Central Post 262 has bestowed upon Colin a Life Membership in the VFW and has started a “Road to Recovery” fund on his behalf.

Monroe residents and others wishing to assist Colin may contribute to the fund below:

The North American Deck and Railing Association, Inc is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation. NADRA serves as a unified source for the professional development, promotion, growth, and sustenance of the Deck and Railing building industry in North America. NADRA helps the consumer by providing information on deck safety, design, and products through the website, by responding to consumer inquiries, and through public relations campaigns such as its Deck Safety Month® Program and its Merit Award Program. The association offers educational resources for both industry professionals and consumers, and is continually developing new programs and initiatives to further serve these audiences. For more information on Deck Safety Month, the Check Your Deck program and finding a reputable deck builder, visit www.nadra.org or call 888-NADRA 4 U.